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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Dejan Stankovic

The name of the game in today's three matches is low scoring. Algeria-Slovenia -- worth watching because it features the USA's next two opponents -- features two teams that like to counter-attack. Slovenia play a very traditional 4-4-2, with a textbook target man and forward; the midfield will look to pump long balls to Milivoje Novakovic who will use his height to set up his partner Zlatko Dedic. Those two will be on their own as this is an extremely defensive team, albeit a well-organized one. Slovenia will be able to withstand pressure.

It will face off against a depleted Algeria that will likely put the majority of the team behind the ball. Star defender Nadir Belhadj is out through suspension, and captain Yazid Mansouri has been dropped by the coach. Despite qualifying with a three man defense, Algeria looks set to line up in a similar 4-4-2. This has stalemate written all over it.

This is a tough one to call: neither side should be underestimated, as both got here by winning playoff matches most predicted they would lose (Slovenia beat Russia, Algeria overcame Egypt). Expect tense, tentative, low-scoring, counter-attacking soccer. A lot more is at stake here than it might have seemed 24 hours ago as both England and the US look more vulnerable than many expected.